Leaders’ Library: Collecting Our E.D. Notes for the Field
E.D. Notes for the Field is a long-running series written by David La Piana, our founder. These reflections offer grounded, practical guidance for executive directors navigating the complexities of the role: from managing amid uncertainty to communicating with funders, leading through political headwinds, and strengthening the board partnership at the heart of every successful nonprofit.
Across this rich series, a few major themes consistently emerge: the imperative for thoughtful, strategic leadership in the face of uncertainty — whether navigating political and sector upheaval, organizational transitions, or everyday operational chaos — and the central role of authentic relationships with boards, chairs, funders, and communities in sustaining mission impact. These pieces also repeatedly underscore the importance of values-driven choices and resilience, encouraging nonprofit leaders to align internal decisions with external realities and to steward both people and mission with clarity, courage, and reflection.
While David’s insights anchor this series, they also reflect something deeper about who we are as a firm. At La Piana Consulting, our consultants come from a background in nonprofit leadership. We have lived the realities our clients face, carrying missions forward with limited resources, making tough calls, leading through change, and balancing the demands of staff, boards, funders, and communities.
That shared experience is central to our work. It shapes how we show up for the organizations we support and fuels our commitment to offering strategic, empathetic, and actionable guidance to leaders across the sector.
Below is the full collection of E.D. Notes for the Field, a library of perspectives, provocations, and practical lessons for executive leaders at every stage of their journey.
Four Keys to a Successful Executive Director Transition
2029: Dare to Look Past Trump’s Reign of Terror
When Does it Make Sense to Talk Merger?
How to Talk to Your Funders About Your Crisis
Getting the Most from your Board
First they came for the Activists. . .
What is your response when fascism comes to America?
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